LDPC Codes with Local and Global Decoding

This paper presents a theoretical study of a new type of LDPC codes motivated by practical storage applications. LDPCL codes (suffix L represents locality) are LDPC codes that can be decoded either as usual over the full code block, or locally when a smaller sub-block is accessed (to reduce latency). LDPCL codes are designed to maximize the error-correction performance vs. rate in the usual (global) mode, while at the same time providing a certain performance in the local mode. We develop a theoretical framework for the design of LDPCL codes. Our results include a design tool to construct an LDPC code with two data-protection levels: local and global. We derive theoretical results supporting this tool and we show how to achieve capacity with it. A trade-off between the gap to capacity and the number of full-block accesses is studied, and a finite-length analysis of ML decoding is performed to exemplify a trade-off between the locality capability and the full-block error-correcting capability.Comment: 41 page

The Nature of Compassion in Yoga: Illuminating its Modern Role through an Examination of Historical Texts

This paper explores the nature of compassion within various yoga traditions and clarifies its role through historical and textual examination. In doing so, it explores key texts within the yoga traditions that address compassion and highlight the qualities attributed to compassion. While compassion is commonly present within the texts, it varies in meaning and significance within these texts and often is not perceived as central to the text’s teachings. Initially, this paper examines teachings from the Upaniṣads that address moral conduct and the nature of transformative knowledge. Second, verses from the Yogasūtra are discussed. In doing so, this paper addresses the brahmavihāras and their understanding in Buddhist literature. Third, this paper examines verses and concepts from the Mahābhārata, in which compassion can be seen as an important theme. Then, the Yogavāsiṣṭha\u27s view on ethics and compassion is explored. Haṭhayoga texts present a shift within the conception of compassion and address compassion as part of the yamas within the aṣṭāṅgayoga framework, a representation that carries through to the Yoga Upaniṣads. Lastly, this paper elaborates on the implications and significance of compassion within yoga, discusses the main Sanskrit terms, and addresses possible threads that demonstrate the evolution of compassion within yoga’s literature. It further argues that there is a correlation between the importance of compassion within a text to the text’s target audience as ascetics or householders. I will further demonstrate that the prominence of compassion within a text signifies the accessibility of the text, its teachings, and the practice of yoga to a wider audience

MicroRNAs Guide Asymmetric DNA Modifications Guiding Asymmetric Organs

AbstractIn plants and animals, microRNAs have been shown to regulate target genes by inhibiting translation or altering target mRNA stability. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Bao et al. extend the known mechanisms of action of microRNAs to RNA-directed DNA methylation, a mechanism previously associated only with siRNA-mediated gene silencing